A special ceremony was held this morning to honor 180 members of the Army National Guard who will deploy to Afghanistan tomorrow night.These soldiers from Hawaii and Montana stand united in their mission to rebuild Afghanistan.
"Good luck to you I look forward to seeing you in Afghanistan,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Lee.
Members of the Army National Guard's 230th Engineer Company include carpenters, engineers and plumbers who will deploy for Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan tomorrow night.
Sgt. Mansfield Mokuiki known to friends and family as "Uncle Blu" is expected to retire next year.
While deployed he'll miss the birth of a family member in April.
"I think he'll be bummed then he'll be back and we are hoping that he can come home for R&R shortly after,” said niece, Julia Villanueva.
The support and love from his family is very strong.
"I can kind of relate because we kind of do a very similar job. He's in the Army Corps of Engineers. I am also in the Air Force civil engineering community,” said nephew, Sgt. Chris Villanueva.
Prepared to spend the next ten months in Afghanistan, Sgt. Mokuiki says the work they will be doing is well worth it.
"The people there really need our help and we have to do what they ask for especially building homes and houses out there for the troops and the people,” said Sgt. Mokuiki.
These soldiers will build schools, homes, buildings and roads.
"I have a lot of good feelings especially for the people they need a lot of help and we are there to do everything that we can,” said Mokuiki.
